A lot at stake for GA in mid-term elections

WASHINGTON, D.C. — General aviation has a big stake in the outcome of the coming mid-term elections, both at the federal and state levels.

At the federal level a full reauthorization of the FAA might hang on whether Democrats continue to control both houses of Congress or whether there is a lame duck session with continued disagreements, requiring another temporary extension until a new Congress takes over.

For the past three years, the FAA has been operating under 16 temporary three-month extensions, the latest to expire the end of this year. Work on many issues is hampered without definite budget availability.

Other issues that could be affected include the labor question with FedEx, flight restrictions at Washington’s Reagan National Airport, through the fence agreements, and user fees, which can raise its ugly head with any major shift in political control.

At the state level, 37 states and two territories have governors up for election. Who wins in these states can affect airport development, possible state taxes, selection of state aviation directors, and other issues of direct importance to aviation.

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